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Yesterday when I was watching Koffee With Karan at home I heard quite and interesting idea from Sidharth Malhotra. He said even if he stop working now due to some reason he will still be happy, still be grateful for where he is today because he came to the industry from nothing and compared to that today he has gained so many things. In a way it surprised me because not so long ago I was thinking along that same line of thought when I was thinking about progress with regard to my life and my career.

When about an year ago I definitely came to the decision of becoming a freelancer that was not something every one else was about to accept. That is because here in Sri Lanka apart from a few people who actually are involved in that trade freelancing is not something that is considered as a real job, it is relatively an unseen and unheard of profession. A real job is where to go to an office everyday, get a salary and holidays and get promotions and such. Working from home and that too unattached to any company is a relatively unknown field and a relatively unacceptable working method for most. Fortunately, my family has understood though my career choice is unusual it is actually a career since they do know about the field and I was able to properly explain everything to them too.

Since I have ever since found clients and are happy about the path I am taking at the moment I actually am pretty content in what I do. I have also grown a rather thicker skin when people do not understand what I actually do as a profession and give those weird glances and ask unnecessary questions.

Then, comes the question how to do I measure my progress because I do want to be able to keep in track of that in this very different line of work. I am capable of doing that in normal ways such as how much of a monthly income I get and also in different methods that are not used by employees who are working for a company in a normal job. Though I am not earning millions I am earning something sufficient to take care of my needs and contribute to my family too. I come into contact with great clients. In a way, even if I come into contact with horrible people I get to learn more about people that way.

Being a freelance writer and translator does not mean now that I found the ideal career for me all is taken care of. I still have my personal goals to reach. However, I am grateful today to the place I am. An year or so ago I was without a job and was frustrated when even passing exams was not giving me the opportunity to work. Today I have made progress as someone who made an unusual career choice in my country. Someday I hope to be the one who made a valuable and positive change in her life through this bold decision.